Filtered single dose smoking device

ABSTRACT

A filtered, tubular smoking device having an externally accessible single dose bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at an opposing end. A longitudinal bore connects the bowl to the mouthpiece to enable smoke generated from the combustion of smoking material in the bowl to be inhaled. The tubular member is made up of a mouthpiece portion removeably engaged to a shank portion. The mouthpiece portion is provided with a chamber coaxial with the longitudinal bore and having an increased diameter over that of the bore in order to sealingly receive a filter therein. The filter is compressed longitudinally and thereby expanded radially to ensure a sealed engagement in the chamber. However, the filter may removed, discarded and replaced by disengaging the mouthpiece portion from the shank portion in order to gain access to the filter chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Application 61/435,092 filed 21 Jan. 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to smoking implements and more particularly to filtered smoking pipes for delivering a single inhalation of smoke.

2. Description of the Background

The predominant mode of inhaling smoke from tobacco or other smoking material is via a rolled paper sleeve which may or may not incorporate a filter. A filter is desirable to many smokers to reduce the amount of smoke, tar, fine particles and ash inhaled during the combustion, and is thought by some to reduce any harshness in the taste of the smoke.

“One hitters” or “bats” are known smoking implements which are specially-designed to provide a single inhalation of smoke. They are miniature smoking pipes with a narrow reception area or “bowl” designed to contain a small amount (about 25 mg) of smoking material sufficient to generate a single inhalation of smoke when burned. A long flexible drawtube extends from the bowl to allow cooling before inhalation. A user holding a lighter below the bowl, while inhaling continuously, draws just enough heat (but no flame) into the bowl to vaporize the contents (near 200° C.).

A typical embodiment of such a device, as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,826 issued to Lancaster, et al. on Nov. 21, 2000, includes substantially tubular member that includes a forward or loading end portion and a rearward or mouth end portion. A bore extends through the tubular member from the forward end portion to the rearward end portion. The forward end portion includes an annular beveled surface that extends between the outer surface of the tubular member and the bore to form a cutting edge. An inner annular ring is formed in the bore proximal to the forward end portion and defines a constricted passage or venturi that separates the bore into a rearward smoke chamber and a forward loading chamber. The rearward and forward chambers are fluidly connected to each other through the venturi. However advantageous it may be, the Lancaster '826 bat is of unitary blown-glass construction, has no filter, and does nothing to reduce the amount of smoke, tar, and fine particles inhaled during combustion of smoking material. Indeed, conventional one hitters or bats have in the past been entirely unconcerned with this problem owing to the spontaneous and fleeting manner in which they are used, but over time the problem is equally significant.

It would be desirable to provide a smoking bat that is disposed to permit the use to select a singe dose of smoking material and which permits the use of a replaceable, disposable filter therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a removable-filter smoking device having an externally accessible single dose bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at an opposing end. A longitudinal bore connects the bowl to the mouthpiece to enable smoke generated from the combustion of smoking material in the bowl to be inhaled by a user. The tubular member is made up of a mouthpiece portion removeably engaged to a shank portion. The mouthpiece portion is provided with a chamber coaxial with the longitudinal bore and having an increased diameter over that of the bore in order to sealingly receive a filter therein. The filter may be slightly compressed longitudinally and thereby expanded radially to ensure a sealed engagement in the chamber when the mouthpiece is engaged to the shank portion. An optional baffle may also be provided in advance of the filter to prevent scorching or singing of the filter material. The filter (and baffle) may removed, discarded and replaced at the discretion of the user by disengaging the mouthpiece portion from the shank portion in order to gain access to the filter chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like items throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking device according to the present invention in a disassembled state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smoking device according to the present invention in a partially assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a smoking device according to the present invention

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment having a removable intermediate section 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described below. The embodiment disclosed is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, the methods of operation, and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

With reference to the figures, a smoking device or bat 10 includes a substantially cylindrical hollow tubular member 12 that is characterized by a continuous longitudinal bore 14 extending from a mouthpiece 16 at one end into a chamber or bowl 18 at the opposite end. The bowl 18 is externally accessible when the bat is fully assembled as described below. The tubular member 12 is preferably 8 to 12 mm in diameter and may have a uniform circular cross section at its exterior surface or semicircular, or polygonal, with one or more flat surfaces to facilitate gripping the device and for preventing the device from rolling when set on a hard surface. The exterior surface of the tubular member may further be knurled, grooved or otherwise textured to facilitate a better finger-grip. The diameter of the bore 14 varies throughout the tubular member 12 from a minimum at the mouthpiece 16 of preferably 5 mm to 10 mm, to the bowl 18 of from 6 to 10 mm in diameter. In a preferred embodiment the tubular member 12 is constructed of a strong, lightweight material that is unaffected by high temperatures such as aluminum, steel, brass, glass, ceramics or porcelain. In alternate embodiments of the invention the component elements of the tubular member 12 may be constructed of differing materials such that the invention is of composite construction.

The tubular member 12 is preferably a two-piece assembly comprising the mouthpiece 16 as noted for placement of the lips, and a shank portion 20 which includes the distal bowl 18. The bore 14 extends from the bowl 18 through a draught hole 22 defined by an internal collar inside shank 20 that forms a constriction of bore 14. The collar/draught hole 22 preferably has tapered walls leading into bowl 18 to smooth laminar airflow. If desired, a screen element 23 may be contained within the draught hole 22 to prevent particulates from entering bore 14. The bore 14 continues to an intermediate, threaded end 24. Intermediate end 24 is provided with an internally threaded portion 25 for cooperative engagement with a matching, externally threaded surface 26 on the mouthpiece 16. In an alternate embodiment a pin and slot mechanical engagement of the shank portion 20 with the mouthpiece may be utilized. in such an embodiment a pair of short, radial pins or protrusions are provided on an exterior surface of the mouthpiece 16 proximal to the intermediate end which are advanced into cooperatively aligned longitudinal slots at the end intermediate end the shank portion. Upon full insertion into the longitudinal slots the mouthpiece 16 and shank 20 are angularly rotated about their axis such that the protrusions are captured in a lateral expansion of the longitudinal slots and the mouthpiece 16 thus securely engaged to the shank 20.

The mouthpiece 16 is further provided with a filter chamber 30 in which a removable filter element 32 may be inserted and retained during use. An optional removable baffle 33 may also be retained inside (or in advance) of chamber 30 and retained during use. The filter chamber 30 is externally accessible when the mouthpiece 16 is disengaged from the shank portion 20 but fully enclosed when the elements are engaged. The diameter of the filter chamber exceeds that of the longitudinal bore 14 and is sized to snuggly receive the filter 32 such that all of the smoke drawn through the bore 14 is forced through the filter 32. Removable baffle 33, if used, prevents hot smoke drawn or combusted material through the bore 14 from scorching or singing the filter 32. The filter 32 is preferably a cylindrical element of spun cellulose acetate, crenellated paper, 100% cotton fiber, or rayon, and is removable and disposable. Alternatively, the filter 32 may be a reusable filter formed of microporous ceramic, metal, metal fibers or the like. The removable baffle 33 is typically a solid reusable cylindrical element formed as a porous ceramic or metal disk. Baffle 33 prevents hot smoke or combusted material (ash) drawn through the bore 14 from scorching or singing the filter 32, and also itself helps to trap larger combusted material.

The filter chamber 30 has an increased cross sectional area relative to that of the bore 14. The increased cross sectional area of the filter chamber 30 as compared to that of the bore 14 ensures that the filter 32 and baffle 33 do not overly restrict flow through the smoking device 10 during inhalation. In certain embodiments the diameter of the bore 12 may flare outward as it approaches the filter chamber 30 to improve air flow to and through the filter element 32 by eliminating abrupt changes in diameter that disrupt laminar flow. The length of the filter chamber 30 is preferably selected such that the filter element 32 is slightly compressed longitudinally when the threaded portions 25, 26 of the mouthpiece 16 and shank portion 20 are fully engaged and may be between 15 and 35 mm.

In use the mouthpiece 16 is rotated relative to the shank 20 to disengage the threaded portions and thus the two pieces of the tubular member 12 thereby revealing the filter chamber 30. A filter 32 and optional baffle 33 are inserted into the chamber and the mouthpiece 16 re-engaged to the shank 20 by engagement of the threaded portions. The filter 32 is slightly compressed longitudinally within the filter chamber 30 causing a slight increase in the diameter of the filter ensuring a tight fit for the filter against the walls of the chamber 30 thereby ensuring that smoke entering the filter chamber 30 via the bore 14 must pass through the filter 32. Note that the filter 32 need not be replaced after every use of the bat 10. The bowl 18 is then filled with the desired smoking material. This may be done by pressing a small amount of the desired smoking material into the bowl with the fingers. Where a cutter tip is provided as in FIG. 3, this may be accomplished by forcing the bowl down into a store of the desire smoking material and against a hard surface therein. The beveled edge surrounding the bowl 18 serves to cut the smoking material as it is pressed against the hard surface such that a single dose is cut free from the store and retained in the bowl by this single act. A heat source such as a match of lighter is applied to the bowl tip as the user inhales from the mouthpiece 16 drawing air into the bore 14 via the bowl and igniting the smoking material. Smoke from the smoking material is drawn through the bore and into the filter chamber where it is forced through the filter before being exhausted from the mouthpiece to the used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the removable baffle 33 is a fixed component in a removable intermediate section 27. The intermediate section 27 couples the mouthpiece 16 and shank 20 together. Intermediate section 27 comprises a short tubular length with screw-threads at both ends, baffle 33 being axially affixed centrally therein. In use the mouthpiece 16 is rotated relative to the intermediate section 27, and the combination is rotated relative to the shank 20 to engage/disengage the threaded portions, allowing access to the filter chamber 30 and baffle 33.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood; therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims and may be used with a variety of materials and components. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. 

1. A device for smoking a combustible material, comprising: a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, said tubular member further comprising: a shank portion having a bowl at one end for retaining a single dosage of said combustible material externally accessible from said tubular member, and a circular bore extending from said bowl through said shank portion along said longitudinal axis, said bore having a first diameter, and a mouthpiece removeably engaged to said shank portion, said mouthpiece having a circular bore extending there through along said longitudinal axis so as to form a continuous passage through said tubular member when said mouthpiece is engaged to said shank portion, and a filter chamber externally accessible from said mouthpiece for retaining a filter, said filter chamber coaxial with said bore and having a second diameter greater than said first diameter; and a filter occupying said filter chamber.
 2. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 1, wherein said filter is contained in said mouthpiece.
 3. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 1, wherein said filter is contained in the filter chamber in said mouthpiece.
 4. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 3, further comprising a heat baffle.
 5. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 4, wherein said heat baffle comprises a perforated disk.
 6. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 4, wherein said heat baffle is contained in said mouthpiece.
 7. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 6, wherein said mouthpiece circular bore and said filter chamber are joined by tapered walls.
 8. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 6, wherein the circular bore and bowl of said shank portion are joined by tapered walls.
 9. A device for smoking a combustible material, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tubular member having a longitudinal axis, said tubular member further comprising a plurality of sections affixed coaxially together, and including: a shank section having a bowl at one end for retaining a single dosage of said combustible material externally accessible from said tubular member, and a circular bore extending from said bowl through said shank section along said longitudinal axis, said bore having a first diameter; and a mouthpiece section having a circular bore extending there through along said longitudinal axis so as to form a continuous passage through said tubular member, and a filter chamber externally accessible from said mouthpiece for retaining a filter, said filter chamber being coaxial with said bore and having a second diameter greater than said first diameter; and a filter inserted into said filter chamber.
 10. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 9, further comprising an intermediate section coupling said mouthpiece section to said shank section.
 11. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 9, further comprising a heat baffle.
 12. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 11, wherein said heat baffle comprises a perforated disk.
 13. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 11, wherein said heat baffle is contained in said intermediate section.
 14. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 9, wherein said intermediate section is screw-threaded to said mouthpiece section.
 13. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 14, wherein said intermediate section is screw-threaded to said shank section.
 14. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 9, wherein said mouthpiece circular bore and said filter chamber are joined by tapered walls.
 15. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 14, wherein the circular bore and bowl of said shank portion are joined by tapered walls.
 16. A device for smoking a combustible material, comprising: a substantially cylindrical tubular member having a longitudinal axis, said tubular member further comprising a plurality of sections affixed coaxially together, and including: a shank section having a bowl at one end for retaining a single dosage of said combustible material externally accessible from said tubular member, and a circular bore extending from said bowl through said shank section along said longitudinal axis, said bore having a first diameter; and a mouthpiece section having a circular bore extending there through along said longitudinal axis so as to form a continuous passage through said tubular member, and a filter chamber externally accessible from said mouthpiece for retaining a filter, said filter chamber being coaxial with said bore and having a second diameter greater than said first diameter; a filter inserted into said filter chamber; and an intermediate section screw-threaded at one end to said mouthpiece section and screw-threaded at another end to said shank section, said intermediate section having a heat baffle contained therein.
 17. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 16, wherein said mouthpiece circular bore and said filter chamber are joined by tapered walls.
 18. The device for smoking a combustible material according to claim 17, wherein the circular bore and bowl of said shank portion are joined by tapered walls. 